A Passion for Restoration

We've often wondered what sets a construction apart from others. We basically all do the same thing, we make or fix things for customers. Simple enough, right? 

Working in this industry for twenty years we've noticed that one of the things we get complimented the most is about the quality of work. We've asked our customers why they say this since it has been brought up more than a few times. Their answers seem to be the same all the time to various degrees. 

According to our customers, New Earth doesn't take shortcuts and has a kind of experience that not everybody has. In addition to this we are truly passionate about what we do, we think of wood working as an art that requires great attention to detail.

Could we make more money by using non-natural but cheaper materials? Absolutely, but we are not interested in doing that. We want to make sure that our clients are fully satisfied with the products that we make for them, not only that but we also want these products to last. 

Some of the houses that are in downtown Richmond are a few decades old, the reason why they stood the test of time? Because the materials that they used were natural quality materials, New Earth does its best to ensure that we use some of the same building techniques. It has worked before and it will work again. 

We are one of the few companies that has their own saw mills on site. What this means to the customer is that we are able to build customer parts and pieces depending on the type of project we are working on. This is very unique to our industry since we don't have to contract that out which in turn is cheaper to our customers. This also allows us to have quality control over the product produce and ensures that it meets specifications accurately. 

We are more than just a construction company, we are a cause to the restoration and preservation of Richmond, Virginia. 

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Around RVA: Festivals

Whether you are new to Richmond or not, there's always so many things to do. We're so impressed with this comprehensive list that Richmond.com has put together of things to do this week. We're also really glad to see Magpie on this list, since it is a restaurant that New Earth VA has helped remodel. Check out the article below for details on what's going on around Richmond! (Article via Richmond.com)

Wednesday, July 23

Treveri Sparkling and Fried Food Pairing at Metzger Bar and Butchery

Stop by this new Church Hill-area restaurant to learn all about Treveri Cellars sparkling wines and try some of chef Brittanny Anderson's snacks. Four wines, four snacks. $25. Starts at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 24

Free Meet, Greet, and Eat with Free Run Wines and Andrew Jones of Field Recordings Wines at Saison Market

California winemaker Andrew Jones will be in town tasting his wines and chef Adam Hall will be cooking up some pairings for each wine. Free. Starts at 6 p.m.

The Kick-Off for 909 Courtyard's new Wine Tasting Series

First up: Wine Tasting I. Terricinia St. Clair from The Tipsy Sommelier will cover "basic wine tasting techniques as well as the various identifying characteristics of five of the noble wine varietals (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon).  And at the end of the course you'll be able to identify them by sight, smell and taste. Tickets are all-inclusive at $30 and can bepurchased here. Starts at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, July 25

Lickinghole Creek tap takeover for the 23rd & Main One Year Anniversary Party

Lickinghole is taking over the bar at 23rd and Main for an anniversary party with food and drink specials and live music from 5 - 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 26

RVAle Belgian Summer Ale Release at Center of the Universe Brewing

 

The COTU folks are honoring Wort Share Competition winner Scott Golden with an RVAle release party, with lots of beer, live music and food trucks from 3 - 9 p.m.

 

Every Monday

 

Wine Down Monday at Lehja

 

All day and night on Monday, Lehja in Short Pump is doing half-off selections from its award-winning wine list.

Thursday, Aug. 7

Hardywood Park Craft Beer Dinner at Morton’s, $85

A four-course dinner with steak as the entrée and a beer appetizer at Morton’s at 6 p.m.MENU. Call (804) 648-1662 for reservations.

Friday, Aug. 15

Wine & Whiskers at The Shops at Willow Lawn

This free event features wineries, food sampling, and live music by the 80’s cover band Party McFly. It's just $10 to do the wine tasting, 6 - 9 p.m. Details.

More upcoming dining events:

Saturday, July 26

Tiki Party & Pig Roast at The Rogue Gentlemen, $30

The Rogue Gentlemen are roasting up a whole Autumn Olive Farms heritage pig and torch-lining the patio for their tiki party. Side dishes re included with the pig (and ticket price) an there will be tiki drinks with flowers and umbrellas. Tickets. Party starts at 5 p.m.

Pop-Up Cookout at Amuse

It's a party on the patio at Amuse from 5 - 8 p.m. on Saturday, with gourmet hot dogs, corn dogs, kimchi tater tots, Hardywood beer flowing, tons of craft cocktails and much more. No reservations necessary, just show up and enjoy (and pay for your things a la carte).

Monday, July 28

La Urraca at The Magpie

In celebration of its third anniversary, The Magpie is transforming itself into La Urraca for one-night only. The restaurant will be serving a "a mix of Spanish and Latin American flavors with an emphasis on traditional style street foods and complementing cocktails." The party starts at 5 p.m. and goes until whatever. Reservations are encouraged but not necessary. Menu coming soon.

The menu (prices will be $5 - $14)

(Article via Richmond.com)

Unique Wooden Furnishings

There are so many beautiful pieces than be created from wood, but our absolute favorites are the ones that still resemble their natural patterns that already exist in them. Most consumers think that in order for them to have a great piece of furniture they need to have the ideal piece of wood. Most often this is not the case. At New Earth we’ve found ways to incorporate the natural look of wood into timeless furniture pieces. 

We start by studying the shape and patterns of the wood, and creating something that is completely special. An irregular size or piece is of material can be manipulated and joined with other pieces. Ideally we like to preserve the integrity of the wood and make sure that it stays true to its irregularities and original shape. 

A lot of the work is done by hand, New Earth has a saw mill so we can create all sorts of custom made creations, which is not just limited to furniture. Distinct pieces like the ones we make require a lot of time and expertise. All of our products are treated after they are complete with high quality and durable finishes to withstand every day use for many years to come. 

We’ve worked with very different types of wood in the past, including some that have been found by our customers directly. We really enjoy when this happens because it offers a sense of pride to have located a piece of wood that permanently lives in one’s home as furniture. 

Some of our most popular designs include: mantels, salt & pepper grinders, dining and coffee tables and coat racks. Our expertise has very little limitations and we can fulfill most of our customers requests, even when they are a bit unorthodox. 

One of the greatest things about this approach to building furniture is that you get an entirely  new piece of furniture every time, that is processed minimally keeping the operation eco-friendly. 

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Summer Grilling Tips

Last time we covered how to be safe when working on home improvements or repairs, however during the summer we focus on many diverse activities such as grilling outdoors. We'd like to cover a few things when it comes to properly grilling outside: 

Location

This is definitely one of the most important things to consider when grilling outside, stay clear from any buildings or structures. Keep a distance of at least 10 feet between your grill and anything that could potentially be flammable such as trees or tables. Clear the area and make sure that there aren't a lot of dry leaves around. 

Food

Bring your food out until it is ready to be cooked to avoid it from going bad. If in doubt on whether the food is fully cooked or not, have a food thermometer handy so you can accurately tell if the food is done. Don't use the same plates that you use to bring the food out for the food that has already been cooked unless it has been thoroughly washed, they can carry unwanted bacteria. Eat the food shortly after is has been prepared on the grill unless you plan to store in a cooler with ice or fridge. 

Residue

Grills can build up a lot of residue so make sure you clean it before and after each use. Leaving the grill lit for a minutes after use can loosen up and burn some of the excess food or fat left on it. Depending on what kind of food you are making, it may contain a lot of fatty tissues, this can create unexpected flames so be aware of this and adjust the size of your fire accordingly. Keeping a lid on the grill can prevent the flames from becoming uncontrollable. 

Preparation

Before you start grilling, read the instructions for your equipment whether it is charcoal or gas. Make sure that all the parts are connected as instructed, the last thing you need is for you grill to fall apart in the middle of a cookout.

Charcoal grills need a special technique to be ignited, we advise from you staying away from using lighter fluids. Doing it the old way of using paper or starter wood is usually the best approach even though it may take a little longer. Once you are done with the grill, put out the the charcoals by letting them run their course and disintegrate or by adding some water which unfortunately can make things a little mushy.

Gas grills can have other things go wrong, you're exposed to flammable gases for a prolonged period of time. There is potential for gas leaks and with so many more moving parts, there is potential for more things to malfunction and in turn cause an accident. Avoid at all times using a match when possible.

In addition to preparing your grill, you should always keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of the fire getting out of hand. 

As always use precaution when playing with fire, it is also easy to get distracted with friends and family so make sure to always pay attention, keep kids and pets away and watch your drinking to stay alert. 

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DIY: Safety Tips

Whether you are making home improvements that require a contractor or not, safety should always be a priority in everyone’s list. Anytime that you are dealing with tools it is important to keep the following things in mind: 

Protective Gear

Tools are made to cut through hard materials like steel and wood, our skin is made of something that is much more fragile than that. There are areas of our bodies, like that eye, that is even more flimsy than our skin. This is why we must protect them with googles and gloves. If you are working with things that produce fire like soldering materials you may want to invest in clothing that protects you from burns. 

Clean Workspace

You’ll want to make sure that the space that you are working on is clear of any obstacles that could potentially lead to an accident. More specifically don’t leave tools laying around, watch out for nails and things like furniture that you could trip on. When you’re done working, put everything away, this can prevent you or others who may wander into your area to hurt themselves. 

Ladders are one of the biggest reasons for an accident in a workspace. People often don’t clean up their workspace or they don’t secure the ladder properly causing accidents. Make sure that your ladder isn’t shaky and that it is on solid ground before starting getting on it. 

Abilities 

Do you know how to properly and safely work your power tools? Do you also know yourself well enough to know how much strength you’ll apply when using these tools? These are two questions that you need to ask yourself before you start any major DIY project. Knowing and respecting your power tools is extremely important, you need to know how much damage they can cause if not used properly. Also giving them routine maintenance is important, a tool that is not properly greased or that has loose parts can have catastrophic consequences. 

The strength applied to a tool can also cause unwanted mistakes, apply too much pressure or strength and a project can be ruined. You can also lose grip on a tool if you put in too much strength into it leading to a potential risk of injury for yourself and/or others. 

Capability

Out of all the previous reasons why there are accidents when working on DIY projects, this the one that causes the most issues. People tend to be over confident on their ability to execute a project. We’ve talked about before how it is important to know one’s boundaries when working on a home improvement project, so don’t bit more than you can chew. If you’re not confident on a project then don’t be scared to ask for help or hire a professional like New Earth.

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Eco Friendly Homes

(Image Courtesy ChicagoMag.com)

There has been an increasing amount of homeowners that are considering building green, not only because it is better for the environment but because it can be better for homes in the long run. These options can also end up saving some money on utility and repair bills. 

Insulation

You can get different type of materials, both synthetic and natural for insulation, but did you know you could use things like old carpets and curtains as insulation? These materials may already be readily available to you in your home or you may know of someone who has an excess amount of these supplies laying around the house. These items can easily be found in thrift stores or discount stores. 

Geothermal Heating

This isn't an option that a lot of people know about, this option is something that harvests the heat from the soil beneath us. It is expensive to install at first but can save you a lot of money over time. It uses minimal electricity and no gas. It can be incorporated into the whole HVAC system and is regulated in a traditional way, with a thermostat. 

Water Based Paints

Most paints have a chemical element to them, water based paints don't. These are better for your overall health and the environment will help you since they are biodegradable. An added bonus to using this type of paint is the more natural look that you'll get. Chemical paints to have a much harsher tone to them. 

Furniture & Material Repurposing

One of our favorite past times is to find old furniture or using found pieces of wood and giving them new life. You can find many amazing pieces of furniture at places like antique shops or thrift stores, a fresh coat of paint and some adjustments and you can have a piece of furniture that is unique and has character. Turning a piece of found wood into something completely different like a coffee table is another great way to make a statement piece. If you haven't done so already, visit our website at www.newearthva.com to find some examples of how this can be accomplished. 

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5 Things That May Reduce Your Home's Value

When we think of doing home improvements, we think of how it can benefit us directly as homeowners. A common misconception is that all upgrades or investments into a home automatically add value to the property. Unfortunately this is not always true. Here are five things to stay away from when you are doing home improvements

Room Conversions
When you have a spare bedroom or an empty garage, it may be easy to try to use that space for something that you've always wanted, like a home gym or making the garage into a bedroom or living room. Most buyers want to be able to use the space for what it was originally intended for, or at least they want to decide on their own what that space should become. If you do end up making a room conversion make sure that it is something that can be easily reversed. 

Extravagant Paint Jobs
Today's home color trends can be very bold and stylized. Many home improvements blogs and catalogues will tell you that adding a brave splash of color can give a room much needed character. We couldn't agree more, however when you are trying to sell a home, it is important to remember that your home buyer may not fully agree with your design preferences. Complicated trim jobs or wall papers are included in this. When presenting a home to a seller, keep the colors plain so they can envision what it will look like when they live there or stick to earth and neutral colors which don't present a bold statement. 

Hot Tubs
You may think that having a hot tub can be a great added bonus to someone who is purchasing a home, however your buyer may feel different. Hot tubs are not always associated with sanitation, especially if the hot tub has not been used or cleaned in sometime. In this instance it may be best to take the hot tub with you and reinstall it in your new property.

Closets
Adding closet space is always welcome, however if you are planning on removing closet space because you don't use it may not be the best idea. Closet space is always in high demand and is a priority on most people's lists. Keep this in mind when you are working on home improvement projects.

Too Much... of Everything!
We may want to keep up with the neighborhood and install the latest and greatest of well... anything! There are things like home appliances and bathrooms that should always be kept up to date. However, adding unnecessary gadgets just for the sake of adding more may not be seen as a pro but more of a con. Do your research on home improvement trends and what the majority of the neighborhood is doing so your home stays competitive in the housing market but not to the point where is no longer added value.

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4 Reasons to Hire a Contractor Vs. DIY

We’ve all been in a situation where we have debated whether or not calling a contractor is worth it or not. Here are the top reason’s why you’d want to call a contractor versus trying to do something yourself… 

1. Discounts on materials

When your contractor purchases materials on your behalf, they probably already have ties with the stores they are getting them from and they can typically negotiate prices in bulk. This is something that they can easily do because you are not their only client and have to typically stock up on materials anyway. Also, a lot of the contractors have credit or membership cards from supply stores that automatically give them a certain percentage off, these are savings that eventually get passed onto you.

2. Smaller Margin of Error

There are certain projects like finishing a basement, building an outdoor deck, or installing new doors that can be easily accomplished if you are pretty handy. There are many other things that people think are easy like taking down a wall, installing a new ceiling fan or redoing a bathroom that may not actually as simple to redo as expected. Taking down a wall for example has complications like electrical wiring running through it, whether or not it is a wall that supports weight or plumbing that runs through it. A ceiling fan needs to be installed under the right support beams and needs to run the correct electrical connections to it. Redoing a bathroom can have complications both in plumbing and electrical. If you make any mistakes in these undertakings that appear DIY, without consulting an expert first, they can end up being very costly. Ask to see if your contractor provides a free consultation and you might be able to see whether or not your home improvement project is doable on your own.

3.Time Efficiency

A contractor will know exactly what needs to be done and how long it will take them. If you do your research you might find out how long it will take you to complete a project as an individual, however it is nearly impossible for you to plan on additional time for unexpected issues if the complication is out of your scope of knowledge. You can also hold a contractor accountable for how long it will take, if you start a project and become unmotivated then the project might never reach full completion.

4. Level of Complexity

A simple project that does not require much attention to detail is something that the majority of homeowners or renters can do. However if you take on a project that requires attention to several details and has a lot of parts then it might be best to leave it to the experts. When you hire a contractor to take on a big project like making an addition to your home, there’s many parts to that they’ll take care of for you: electrical, plumbing structural, etc. All of those things may be too much of an undertaking and provide risks that you may not want to take. If one piece is missing because you forgot it or didn’t know how to execute it correctly, your whole project may come to a halt or fail completely. 

Each home project is going to be unique and every individual will have different levels of experience. Call a contractor when it doubt to get advice and to figure out costs. If what you’re saving by doing it yourself is not much it may really be worth it to call an expert, especially if they are insured. 

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12 Clever Uses for Old Furniture

Need some inexpensive home decorating ideas? HGTV.com shares some really cool ideas that you can do with items that can be easily be found around your home or through a quick trip to your local thrift store. New Earth VA will always be on board with concepts that are friendly to the environment and that give new life to an item that has been discarded, which in addition also adds character to your home.

Old Mattress Turned Into Multipurpose Message Board

(Via HGTV.com)

Home Office Made from Different Salvaged Materials

(via HGTV.com)

Repurposed Table with Wallpaper

(via HGTV.com)

Outdoor Decks Explained

It's no secret that we're big fans of the outdoors, here in Richmond we get at least six to nine months of weather that can be spent outdoors. Some months might be hotter than others, and some are chillier. Either way, we think Virginia homes that have outdoor spaces are very enjoyable. Our customers will sometimes come to us asking questions about what is the best way to go when building an outdoor deck. We are partial to natural materials but we'd like to explain the different kinds that you can get your deck made out of.

Timber
This is by far the most popular option. We really like it because it tends to blend with the outdoors well and it is naturally water resistant. If you decide to use timber as your primary material make sure that it is treated against termites, ants and other unwanted pests. Timber also tends to last for a long time and because it does need to be put together in sections, it can be easily replaced if part of your deck becomes damaged. You can get this material in different colors and finishes so you can configure it to match the rest of your home and furniture. This is the option that we would recommend most.

Polyethylene
This is a bit of a toss up, literally. It's a mixture of both natural materials and synthetic ones, so it is a blend. The blend consists of recycled plastic and wood components. This is a cost effective option as an alternative from timber, it is slip resistant and will endure against the elements. The only downside is that it tends to fade overtime, so what you see in the store is not what you will get as a final product. It is also fairly environmentally friendly since it does used recycled plastics as a source material.

Aluminum
This is by far the most cost effective option but it's longevity is questionable. The look of aluminum is not the most attractive and you have limited color options. Aluminum is easy to install since it typically comes in interlocking pieces that can be easily assembled. It does not expand and contract like it's other counterparts so it might get damaged easier. New Earth recommends to use this type of material as your last option.

So there you have it, when building an outside deck or patio keep in mind that you have different options for materials. Your first option should be timber, which is long lasting and looks the best. Polyethylene should be your second because it is still friendly to the environment and preserves a natural look. We'd tell you hold off on building a deck if you're thinking of using aluminum until you can afford one of the latter options.

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